The number one way your child can improve his/her reading skills is by PRACTICE. Reading is a skill like any other skill and must be practiced regularly for improvement.

What are some ways I can help my child when he doesn't know a word?

When a child is stuck on a word, we want them to use the most effective and quickest way to figure out the word. Give your child wait time of 5-10 seconds before saying anything. Let him/her work on being independent. Or if it appears he/she is just sitting there not working at it, you can say, "Try it."

Choose a prompt that would help the most:
"Look at how that word begins. Get your mouth ready and try the sounds."
"What would make sense there?"
"What do you think that word could be?
"Use the picture."
"Go back and try that again."
Tell your child the word.

Most importantly, focus on what your child is doing well and is attempting to do. Remain loving and supportive. When your child is having difficulty and is trying to work out the trouble spots, comments such as the following are suggested:
"Good for you. I like the way you worked it out."
"That was a good try. Yes. That word would make sense there."
"I like the way you looked at the picture to help yourself."
"I like the way you went back to the beginning of the sentence and tried that again. That's what good readers do."
"I'm proud of you!"

Spaulding School

Wood, Karin - Reading Specialist

Parent Suggestions

Reading Corner

Memory Word Flashcards